#shabraun | Our Unforgettable Fresh, Hawaiian-Flair Wedding Dinner Menu

How many wedding have you been to where the meal was chicken with mashed potatoes and a side of asparagus? Too many is the answer. Or if you can't remember what you ate a wedding, then it was probably that. Haha

One of our priorities for our wedding day was the menu. We wanted the meal to be unique, memorable and locally-sourced! We wanted guests to look back and remember exactly what they enjoyed because it was so delicious. LeBraun wanted it to be “one of the best meals they’ve ever eaten,” and our dreams became a reality when we went to a tasting by Maui’s Cutting Edge Catering.

Cutting Edge’s owner and chef Brian Etheredge was the owner of renowned Maui favorite Capische before deciding to focus more on family and enjoy the world of catering and private cheffing.

He is a strong advocate for sustainability in the kitchen and also a commercial fisherman. Note: The fish we ate on our wedding day was caught by Brian the morning of. It doesn’t get much fresher than that!

Each dish was vibrant, colorful and pulled in the Hawaiian-flair we were hoping to spoil our guests with! It was a tasting dream and honestly we dreamed about the meal everyday till we got to enjoy it again on out wedding day.

Typically wedding menus are all encompassing, making sure the meal will satisfy a wide range of taste preferences and people. Fortunately with an intimate ceremony you can tailor the dishes to a much smaller group. Since our guests were our closest friends and family we knew what everyone would be interested in and therefore knew this menu would be a hit!

One caveat of our menu was that everything should be gluten-free and cow dairy-free, and the team at Cutting Edge Catering was more than happy to oblige.

Oh and our site also had a wood fire pizza oven so we wanted to take advantage of that during cocktail hour. Who doesn’t love pizza?

Otherwise we were just looking for a memorable meal utilizing fresh, local ingredients and perhaps incorporating some Hawaiian/Polynesian flair. Cutting Edge Catering delivered ten-fold!

Our fish was caught the morning of our wedding from the surrounding waters, our vegetables were pulled from Chef Brian’s own garden, and even the goat cheese was from a farm less than a mile from our venue. That’s locally-sourced if I’ve even seen it.

Even writing about this now I wish I was eating all of this again. Our menu definitely ending up being a highlight of the day if that’s even possible—the whole day was highlight! But no one left hungry and everyone got to enjoy an unforgettable meal in a beautiful setting.

For Our Passed Appetizers
Fun Fact: In Hawaii bite-size appetizers are called “pupus.” :) The appetizers are important as they welcome guests to cocktail hour and are the first edible impression of the event. We decided on a selection of twists on Polynesian classics—instead of the traditional kalua (“to bake in the ground oven” known in Hawaii as an imu) pig, we opted for chicken as I don’t eat red meat; traditional musubi is made with spam which we switch for hamachi; lastly a poke bowl served in a puffed rice crisp instead of on top of a bed of rice. I’m drooling just remembering all of these!

• Kalua Chicken with Guava Rose Emulsion and Molokai Sweet Potato Chip
• Fennel Flatbread with Big Island Mushrooms, Surfing Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions
• Hamachi Misoyaki Musubi with Seaweed Salad
• Ahi Poke "Bowls" with Sesame Sambal and Puffed Rice Crisp

Calligraphy by @studioist

For Our Dinner
After cocktail hour which included our first dance, drinks, and a beautiful sunset, guests were welcomed to the backyard at one long table to enjoy dinner al fresco.

First Course (plated salad)

• Watercress Salad with Carrot Ginger Vinaigrette, Shaved Kula Cucumbers, Radish, Cherry Tomato

Second Course (entree)
During our tasting we were enamored with both entree options. Our initial plan was to have items served family style where guests could pick and choose what and how much of everything they would enjoy. However Brian’s plating blew us away so we decided on a duo-plating option which meant that our guests got two entrees (just smaller portions) so they didn’t have to choose.

• Hawaiian Catch with Edamame Puree, Angry Pears, Sake Butter
• Five Spice Duck Breast with Molokai Sweet Potatoes, Star Anise Citrus Emulsion, Ume Plums and Vegetable Stir Fry

Photography by Teale Photography

---

Find out more about our destination wedding in Maui with these posts!

#shabraun | Tips for a Destination Wedding To Go Off Without A Hitch

Send Save The Dates ASAP As Possible
A little Office humor there, did you catch it? Though in all seriousness a destination wedding often means more vacation days are needed, flights are more expensive, and accommodations needs to be arranged.

Be Flexible With The Big Date
Since our guest list was small we were able to narrow down dates with everyone before committing to one. For example, August 3 this year fell on Canadian August long weekend so my relatives were able to spend an extra couple days vacationing that they wouldn’t have had if we picked the next weekend.

Since guests are coming specifically for your wedding, you have the flexibility to choose any day of the week, which can provide more savings and more booking availability. We chose a Friday so our guests only needed to use two or three vacation days because they would have the weekend off anyway and be able to make it back for work on Monday if they wanted.

This is just a suggestion that worked for us. A few more guests were able to attend then if we had selected a different date, but by all means if your heart is set on a July 20th wedding, have your wedding on July 20.

Hire A Planner.
Wedding planning can be a full-time job so why not leave the responsibility and nitty-gritty to the people whose full-time job is actually wedding planning? Especially for a destination wedding, there is no substitute for hiding a planner who is familiar with the area and specifically your venue. Better even if they are already on-the-ground; if you need a measurement or a deliver picked up, they are already there. Plus they will know which vendors are affordable or worth the splurge, which are reliable, and which are a pleasure to work with.

At the very list, I’d recommend a day-of coordinator. They will ensure that everything flows smoothly on your big day and be able to organize everything from vendor deliveries to event timelines.

When you’re tired from the sun…or wedding planning, stop by Maui Coffee Roasters in Kahului for a pick me up!

Plan A Recon Visit
We booked our venue without seeing it in-person and were fully prepared to not see it until our rehearsal; however, when we came across some cheap flight deals we couldn't pass up the opportunity to check it out.

Our planner set up meetings and tastings with potential vendors prior to our visit so when we arrived we hit the ground running. Having time on-site made the whole experience feel more real, like we were actually getting married. We also got to walk around the venue which helped us decide the layout and make decisions on whether we actually needed some decor elements or not.

We were fortunate enough to be able to spend the afternoons enjoying the island and seeing some of the sights, which allowed us to make recommendations for our guest, and ultimately relax more during our wedding trip, not feeling pressure to explore the island in addition to everything else happening.

We understand this may not be financially possible (though go ahead and set up some price alerts), but definitely something to consider before committing to destination wedding.

Remember Your Location When Dress Shopping
You’re not going to be comfortable in a skin-tight, velvet dress on the beach in Maui mid-Summer. That’s just a fact.

Same goes for accessories. We were getting married in olive grove with uneven grassy ground so I made sure my shoes had fat heels (so as not to sink in the soft ground) and my veil was dress length so it didn’t get caught by a unexpected twig on my way down the aisle.

Front Load The Trip
In hindsight we wished we would have arrange the time frame everyone was in town a little differently. Have guests arrive, do the wedding events, and then spend the next couple days relaxing with everyone. Most of our guests came for a few days before the wedding, which still worked, but we had to duck out at some point everyday to finalize remaining wedding details and therefore didn’t get as much hanging out time as we had anticipated.

Arrive Early
LeBraun and I arrived a couple days before our families which allowed us to unpack, get organized, run some errands, and make sure we didn’t forget anything. This also gave us time to put together the welcome bags, get our marriage license, finalize a few things with our vendors, and to decompress before everyone arrived.

Don’t Check Your Dress
I would even say anything that is vital, pack as carry on. Not all airlines have room in their closets to store your dress (especially if it’s poofy) so just be prepared. I kept my dress in its original cotton bag and purchase a waterproof extra wide suit bag to which carried my dress, folded in half), and LeBraun’s suit/shirt/pants.

My small roller bag had our shoes and accessories in it, as well as our rings and a couple sentimental gifts we had purchased for our parents.

That way if the worst happened, we would at least have our wedding attire.

Also be sure to arrange for your attire to be pressed upon arrival.

Send Things Ahead
Our planner allowed us to send some items directly to their office, which eliminated the need for us to bring it in our bags. However if the items are coming home with you after, just remember to leave room in your suitcase for them when you’re packing.

It was also helpful to make a list of what we were bringing, what the planner had, and what we were leaving with so we didn’t forget anything. You can’t just have someone run by your house if you forgot something.

Anything You DIY, You’ll Need to Pack
I’m a crafter and ended up doing a ton for our wedding. Just remember whatever you create you will need to transport. Items like our menus, programs, place cards, and itineraries were small enough to fit in our carry-on, but our large signage was easier, and more cost-effective, to purchase when we arrived on island and complete there.

If you have DIY tasks to do when you arrive, just remember to budget time to complete these.

The best açaí bowls can be found at the Brekkie Bowls’ trailer.

Take Care Of Your Guests
Chances are if someone made the cut for your intimate destination wedding they mean a lot to you, so show them how much you care. They are taking the time and money to travel to celebrate you and your fiancé.

Greet them with a welcome bag filled with local and personal goodies, a list or map of activities to do while in town, itineraries for the weekend, and transportation to and from wedding-related events. These seemingly small gestures can really make your guests feel loved and valued.

For inspiration, check out fun things we put in our destination wedding welcome bags.

Communicate with Your Guests
Setting up a wedding website was a great way for us to share everything our guests needed to know, which in turn saved us time answering text messages about what to pack, where to eat where to be when, what to do, etc.

Consider a Room Block
Hotels will typically give you a discount if a certain number of rooms can be promised and filled. It’s a great way to save some money and often come with some perks. We were upgraded to a suite because we exceeded our room block minimum.

Depending on the location, Airbnbs or house rentals may be a more practical option. My family particular loves rooms with small kitchens or at least a fridge which allows us to keep breakfast foods and snacks on hand so we don’t spend as much money on food when we’re out and about.

If It’s Sunny, Watch Your Tan Lines
Sunscreen is your friend. You should be wearing it everyday anyway, but especially layer it on in advance of your wedding if your destination is sunny.

Less applicable for the groom in a full suit (minus his face), but us brides need to consider cut of our dress, especially on the top half. You don’t want a farmer t-shirt tan with your strapless dress or burnt criss-cross lines in your open-back dress. Doesn’t matter how cute that swimsuit is. Save it for after the wedding.

Request Less of Your Wedding Party
Nowadays attendants are expected to financially cover hotel, travel, attire, showers, gifts, and bachelor/bachelorette party. For many that is quite a financial burden, and with the general cost of hotel and travel being higher for a destination wedding, pitch in where you can. Let them know you don’t expect gifts from them or at least pay for your own drinks at your bachelorette party. You don’t want your best friends leaving the wedding broke.

Destination Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
Good idea? Actually we think it’s a great idea! With the bridal party being spread across the U.S. it just made more financial sense for us to party in Maui. Everyone was already in town for the wedding (no separate travel needed) and we got to do something totally unique and local to the destination.

Recognize Party Investments
Sometimes the best cost saving ideas are an investment up front. For example, we purchased alcohol at Costco and even bought a blender. Margaritas at the hotel bar were priced at $18 and the blender cost $55 so for the cost of 2.5 hotel margs, our blender had paid for itself, and we were able to buy a couple handles of tequila and marg mix with the cash we saved.

Bring An Invitation For The Photographer
Everyone loves those photos of wedding bands on the invitations and if you want one for yourself, you’ve got to remember to pack one.

Be Flexible In Your Expectations
The best part of destination weddings is that the couple, families, and guests get to spend more time together than just during the event. Meet up at the bar, gather at the beach, or plan a group activity like hiking.

That being said, be careful not to over-book your guests. Everyone vacations differently so let them do their thing. Keep people posted on where you two are and what you’re up to, so they can join if they want but don’t feel pressured to be with you 24/7. Trust me, you’ll want your own time too. It’s quite tiresome coordinating and entertaining people constantly for multiple days. It’s unnecessary pressure.

---

#shabraun | Why A Destination Wedding Was Right For Us

LeBraun and I had always pictured a late autumn / early winter wedding. We’ve never been summer people and the majority of our personal events, like birthdays and anniversaries, are in the spring. We always wanted to add an event to the fall for us to celebrate. Well that and the fact that my favorite month has always been October. Additionally I naturally run hot and anything above 75 degrees is almost too much for me.

So when our families gave us a date range of end of July through mid-August (mostly due to my dad’s job and the fact that the kids involved would be on summer holidays), we were thrown for a loop.

Luckily we’d discussed and always had our heart set on a small destination wedding.

We’ve been to several large-scale weddings, including my now brother and sister-in-laws wedding September 2017, where it felt like we didn’t get to chat or at least say “hey” to the majority of people in attendance, fully enjoy the meal, or spend enough time on the dance floor. And we were just guests.

We wanted to be able to fully enjoy our wedding day, eat the meal we had been craving since the tasting, have meaningful conversations with the guests that made the journey to celebrate with us, and not feel like we missed out on time with friends who we don’t see as often as we would like.

But the biggest draw was that we L-O-V-E new adventures and wanted to share out passion with those closest to us.

Why We Choose Maui

The short and short is that the weather is consistent and it felt exotic without being out of reach for most guests.

If you’ve ever been to Hawaii, it doesn’t feel like you’re still in the U.S. The Polynesian culture, breathtaking nature, surf and sand make it feel like you’ve found a private escape.

During August the weather ranges between mid-70s and 80s, much more bearable than the 100 degrees/100 humidity nightmare that Nashville experiences when summer rolls around.

Several major airlines offer flights to Maui (OGG-Kahului Airport) from the mainland and any U.S. guests won’t need a passport. And being able to celebrate with our nearest and dearest was very important to us.

One phrase we kept using during planning was “a memorable experience” for our guests, and not only does just the word “Hawaii” make people happy, it’s a great excuse for some time off and to check the islands off their travel bucket lists. Maui has something for everyone so no one will get bored. They can relax on the beach, try surfing, snorkel with sea turtle, go hiking in rainforests, take a catamaran around the island, and much more. All of our guests stayed at least six days. We ended up joking that the plan was actually to vacation with all our friends, with a wedding thrown in. :)

Weddings, in nature, often tend to be stressful so why not take a cue from the locals, slow it down, and enjoy the events on “island time.”

Another location we were seriously considering was the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia because it holds a special place in our hearts. It’s a place we’ve spent time every summer since we started dating; however, over the past couple years they have suffered terrible forest fires during the summer months. Since we wanted an outdoor wedding and to roast s’mores for dessert (which you can’t do with a fire ban) it wasn’t working.

Don’t let that discourage you though, they are tons of beautiful vineyards, orchards, lakeside and/or mountain-side spots for weddings in BC.

You’re In Maui, Why Not Have A Beach Wedding?

“Oh, yeah, wedding in Hawaii- real original!” - Peter Bretter, Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Getting married in Hawaii is not an original idea. There were even two other brides on the plane to Maui with us, both of which were getting married at beachfront venues.

As a couple we've just never been beach people, preferring ski trips to beach trips, and winter weather to summer weather. Not that we don't love the beach, there’s almost nothing better than walking barefoot on a beach and letting the sand squish between your toes.

Though to each his own. If you are considering a beach wedding do take in account that the sound of the breeze and the waves crashing does make it quite loud. But toes in the sand still does sound lovely…:)

All photography by [Teale Photography][1]

1]: https://www.tealephotography.net

---

#shabraun | Our Wedding Mood Board

Just like every other girl on Pinterest I had a board dedicated to my future wedding, continuously pinning unique placecards, bouquets I liked, elements to add personality…etc.

However once we choose our venue + with the date range we were given by our families, (almost) all of it went out the window.

LeBraun and I had always pictured a late autumn / early winter wedding featuring deep burgundy and navy with copper accents. Perhaps even some snow outside. So when our families gave us a date range of end of July through mid-August we were thrown for a loop.

Luckily we’d discussed and always had our heart set on a small destination wedding. However with any destination wedding, especially one where you don't have family or friends already “on-the-ground” at the location, you have to put your trust completely in your wedding planner and their team—a things that sounds simple, but for a hands-on person like myself can be challenging and a true test in trust.

Thankfully we were blessed to have the fabulous team at Belle Destination Weddings & Events in Maui handling our event.

---

WHY DO WE NEED A WEEDING MOOD BOARD?

Making a wedding mood board is one of the most helpful activities you and your fiancé can do in the wedding planning process, and one I would recommend doing sooner than later. You can always update it, but it gives you a great jumping off point—helping to make decisions about the look of your day and define the overall vibe of the wedding.

It also helps focus in on what’s really important to the two of you for your big day, and makes communicating your vision to vendors way, way easier. Words can be misinterpreted easier than pictures.

Remember, elements don’t need to be exact, but need to help communicate your vision…things you like / don’t like, etc. Make sure to be thoughtful in your decisions. For example, if you’re wedding is in December chances are your centerpieces won’t contain sunflowers, even if your heart is set on it. They’re a summer flower.

To get started, try answering these questions as a couple or separately then discussing together. Remember the first rule of marriage is be willing to compromise.

• If you’ve picked a date: What time of year / season is your big day?
• If you’ve picked a location: What’s the weather like at the location during your date?
• If you’ve picked a venue or know what you’re looking for: Will the ceremony be inside, outside, or some of both?
• Are there any colors specifically important to you?
• What five adjectives would you use to describe your day? Here are some popular options: Rustic, Modern, Bohemian, Industrial, Classic, Vintage, Adventurous, Colorful, Minimalist, Bright, Exciting, Cozy, Romantic, Glamorous, Intimate, Casual, Formal, Elegant, Whimsical, Beachy, Carefree…

None of these words are exclusive and can be used in any combination; however I would recommend sticking to a max of five words so the direction doesn’t become convoluted. These adjectives will also be used to guide your mood board.

• When your friends and family look back at your wedding, how would you like them to remember it?
• What elements would you love or hate to see on your wedding day?
• Think about any weddings you have attending. Was there anything specific you loved or hated?
• Brides: Think about your dream gown. Is there a specific style or era of dress style you are drawn to? Elements like art deco beading or layers of ballgown tulle can lend themselves to different styles of events. Once you actually go to some bridal appointments you may even be surprised at which dress you say “yes” to. And shh…you don’t have to be obvious about your dress plans to your fiancé, just casual mention that you like, for example, texture if you’re looking for a gown with elaborate beading. Boys have no clue about anything, and that’s just the truth. :)
• Anything else that is important to you on your big day?

Note: You mood board will evolve over time as your event comes together. We added and removed things as we honed in on each element, but a mood board is perfect for referring back to when making decisions. Continuously ask yourself, "Does this decision reflect our overall vibe / theme?"

---

OUR WEDDING MOOD BOARD

Try and answer the questions above without reading through this next part first. I don’t want our decisions to affect your decisions.

Here’s how we answered each of the questions:

• If you’ve picked a date: What time of year / season is your big day? Summer, early-August
• If you’ve picked a location: What’s the weather like at the location during your date? Upcountry Maui, Hawaii with a temperature average of mid-80’s in August.
• If you’ve picked a venue or know what you’re looking for: Will the ceremony be inside, outside, or some of both? Ceremony and reception both outside. Since our venue was on an olive farm we would already be surrounded by tons of greenery and wanted to focus on greenery with floral accents (roughly 75% greenery / 25% florals).
• Are there any colors specifically important to you? Nothing specific.
• What five adjectives would you use to describe your day? Timeless, lush, fun, romantic + intimate
• When your friends and family look back at your wedding, how would you like them to remember it? Memorable, laid-back + joyful
• What elements would you love or hate to see on your wedding day? We would love to serve an interesting and delicious meal, incorporating local flavors—something you wouldn't expect at a wedding.
• Think about any weddings you have attending. Was there anything specific you loved or hated? Great music, delicious food, and a variety of seating / tables are musts.
• Is there a specific style or era of dress style you are drawn to? I love accenting my waist, emphasizing my boobs (tastefully of course!), and was definitely set on a flowy, large yet light, ballgown. When else can you wear a giant white gown? :)
• Anything else that is important to you on your big day? Having a top-notch photo and video team was important to us. I didn’t factor in to our mood board, but definitely was important for budget and timeline purposes.

---

OUR INITIAL WEDDING MOOD BOARDS

So without further adu, here’s what our initial mood board looked like. Since we were working with a team across the country, we wrote what we liked about specific images on our mood boards so avoid misinterpretation. We also added an additional page for floral and decor elements specifically since the planner was handling all vendor communication.

All these photos came from Pinterest. We don't own them.

---

OUR FINAL WEDDING MOOD BOARDS

As the planning process went on, we were able to narrow done on our mood board and really define the style with the help our planner, venue, floral, and decor teams. Note how the final mood boards (below) are more cohesive overall while still capturing our laid-back, timeless vibe.

Without these mood boards we wouldn't have been able to clearly communicate our vision for the big day. And since LeBraun and I are both terrible decision makers, having a visual aid helped us express what we were thinking to everyone involved.

---

WHERE TO FIND WEDDING INSPIRATION FOR YOUR MOOD BOARDS?

Inspiration can come from everywhere.

Use any combinations of your five adjectives for more tailored results on Google, Pinterest, and wedding websites (like Style Me pretty) searches.

Also use words relating to location, venue style, season, and size of event for additional results.

For example, we researched “vineyard wedding,” “orchard wedding,” “summer wedding,” “Maui wedding,” “intimate wedding,” and more.

These options should yield tons of results. Save your favorites in a folder on your computer or to a Pinterest board—something easy to reference. Once you feel like you’ve found your defining images, narrow them down and create an initial board that encapsulates the spirit of your event.

And don't think all your searches need to contain the word "wedding." Sometimes "party" or "event" can yield a wider range of results.

When you’re ready to get more specific, try the searches again but instead of following the adjectives with “wedding,” use “florals,” or “decor,” etc.

Add these to your initial designs and make sure to carry a copy with you to all your meetings and give a copy to each of your vendors. Just make sure to give them updated versions as you go along!

Happy mood boarding!

xx Shalan